Above, Demond Taylor appreciates the efforts of Purple Heart Homes, the city and others who made possible a home for the veteran. To the left is Ward 1 Councilwoman Ruth Gray and in the back is service director Ed Gallagher, also seen below speaking at the ceremony. GEOFF POWERS/SPECIAL TO SUN NEWS

Veterans Day was the appropriate time for disabled vet Demond Taylor to take ownership of his new home.

Amid a contingent of city officials, representatives of Purple Heart Homes, the media and well-wishers, Taylor and his wife Amber were shown their new home, 1171 Avondale Road, the morning of Nov. 12.

Taylor, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, expressed his gratitude to those in attendance, including John Gallina, co-founder of North Carolina-based Purple Heart Homes.

Gallina and Dale Beatty were both severely injured while serving in the armed forces in Iraq in 2004. The two went on to establish the nonprofit organization to allow those who have come home injured after having served their country to have a home equipped to handle their individual needs.

The South Euclid home is the first Purple Heart Home in Ohio. Former South Euclid Service Director Ed Gallagher, a Vietnam veteran, heard of the organization and worked to make a home in the city a reality.

The home that has become Taylor’s had been vacant. Purple Heart Homes purchased it from the Cuyahoga County Land Bank for $1 and set about renovating the dwelling. The organization also contributed approximately $20,000 to the renovations.

“It was a great presentation this morning,” Ward 2 Councilman Moe Romeo said of the event. “One of the best things I’ve seen. But now we still need about $70,000 to be raised.”

Community Services Director Keith Benjamin said money and in-kind donations of supplies and work are needed to complete the project. Purple Heart Homes believes veterans like Taylor don’t want to be handed anything, so after the county appraises the finished property, a mortgage payment to the organization will be determined, with that money going towards other projects.

The first event being held to raise money for the project will be a fish fry that will take place from 2-10 p.m. Dec. 7 at Anthony’s Place Restaurant, 389 S. Green Road. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased from the Finance Department at South Euclid City Hall, 1349 S. Green Road. All proceeds will go towards renovations of Taylor’s home.

“This is going to be the first of many homes put together (in South Euclid) by Purple Heart Homes,” said Ward 3 Councilman Ed Icove.

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